Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

Marquette, home of Northern Michigan University, was ranked as one of the safest college towns in America, according to The SafeWise Report. Northern takes pride in having a campus that is caring, inclusive and ready to take action in light of safety concerns. Northern encourages students, employees and visitors to make themselves familiar with the resources and services available for assistance in matters of safety.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

Presidential Scholars Competition

The Presidential Scholars Competition is designed for high school seniors to compete for ten "full-ride" and ten full-tuition scholarships. In addition to the 20 large scholarships, approximately 200 smaller scholarships (which can be added to scholarships awarded at the time of admission) will be awarded to participants.

The scholarship competition for high school seniors graduating in 2019 is now complete (November 4-5 and November 11-12, 2018).

For high school students who will be graduating in 2020, the competition dates in 2019 will be November 3 - 4 and November 10 - 11, 2019.

Students do not need to wait for a notice or invitation to register for the competition. Registration deadlines apply and will be approximately two weeks prior to each competition date. Registration will open in early August 2019.

As a result of this competition, the following scholarships will be awarded:

room and board (Quad II double residence hall room and Gold meal plan; winners may choose to pay differential for other options; students living in on-campus apartments, Spooner Hall, or not required to live on campus receive varying amounts toward living expenses)

Harden Scholarship recipients are also automatically admitted to the NMU Honors Program (no obligation).

Who can apply to participate?

To apply for the scholarship competition, students must have an ACT composite score of 24 or higher or an SAT total score of 1160 AND a cumulative (ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades) high school GPA of 3.50 or higher (4.0 scale). Students who have not taken the ACT/SAT must do so no later than October of their final high school year in order to be eligible for the competition. Students must register for the competition AND apply for admission and submit transcripts and test scores prior to the competition deadlines so we can determine eligibility.

What does the competition consist of?

Students will receive a separate score for each of the four parts of the competition.

Students will take part in group activities with other participants where they will demonstrate their leadership, negotiation and interpersonal skills. These are problem solving exercises and students will be observed and scored by an NMU staff member and/or a current NMU student.

Students will have a one-on-one interview with an NMU faculty or staff member (each participant will be asked the same questions).

Students will be assigned points based on their cumulative high school GPA (ninth through eleventh grades).

Students will be assigned points based on their ACT/SAT score (NMU will use the student's highest test score through October testing dates.)

Apply to participate

We will be offering two different competition dates. You will only need to attend one of the two competition dates but your participation is required in all sessions.

Sunday evening, November 3, and Monday morning, November 4, 2019.

Sunday evening November 10, and Monday morning, November 11, 2019.

On the scholarship competition application form you will be asked to select first choice date. Once we review your GPA and ACT/SAT score and determine if you are or are not eligible to compete, we will email you at the email address you provided on your competition application.

Students participating in the Leadership portion of the competition will also complete a brief resume of leadership experiences and complete an essay on one of their leadership activities when applying for the competition.

Questions:

If you have any questions about the Presidential Scholars Competition please call the Admissions Office at 906-227-2650 or email the program coordinator at glombard@nmu.edu.